Needleless connector

Abstract

Needleless connectors are described herein. A needleless connector includes a housing and a flexible valve element. The housing includes a cavity, a proximal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity, and a distal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity. The flexible valve element is disposed within the cavity. The flexible valve element can selectively permit flow between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A needleless connector, comprising:
 a housing comprising a cavity, a proximal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity, and a distal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity; and   a flexible valve element disposed within the cavity to selectively permit flow between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port.   
     
     
         2 . The needleless connector of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible valve element comprises a valve diaphragm, and the valve diaphragm is configured to expand when a luer is inserted into the proximal fluid port and retract when the luer is removed from the proximal fluid port. 
     
     
         3 . The needleless connector of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible valve element comprises a cone coupled to the valve diaphragm and extending toward the proximal fluid port. 
     
     
         4 . The needleless connector of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible valve element comprises a shroud coupled to the valve diaphragm and extending toward the distal fluid port. 
     
     
         5 . The needleless connector of  claim 2 , wherein the valve diaphragm defines a flat portion. 
     
     
         6 . The needleless connector of  claim 2 , wherein the valve diaphragm is asymmetrical. 
     
     
         7 . The needleless connector of  claim 2 , wherein the valve diaphragm comprises a retention edge, wherein at least a portion of the retention edge is captured within the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The needleless connector of  claim 7 , wherein the retention edge is deformed within the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The needleless connector of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible valve element comprises a valve tail extending into the cavity, wherein the valve tail deflects to selectively permit flow between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port. 
     
     
         10 . The needleless connector of  claim 9 , wherein the valve tail comprises a plurality of bends. 
     
     
         11 . The needleless connector of  claim 9 , wherein the valve tail is configured to minimize insertion force of a luer to permit flow between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port. 
     
     
         12 . The needleless connector of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are coupled together. 
     
     
         13 . The needleless connector of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the proximal portion and the distal portion comprises polypropylene or polyethylene. 
     
     
         14 . The needleless connector of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the proximal portion and the distal portion comprises polycarbonate or copolyester. 
     
     
         15 . The needleless connector of  claim 12 , wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are coupled via press fit or snap fit. 
     
     
         16 . The needleless connector of  claim 12 , wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are coupled via adhesive or ultrasonic welding. 
     
     
         17 . The needleless connector of  claim 12 , further comprising a snap ring configured to couple the proximal portion and the distal portion. 
     
     
         18 . The needleless connector of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines at least one flow channel in fluid communication with the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port. 
     
     
         19 . The needleless connector of  claim 1 , wherein the distal fluid port is laterally offset relative to the proximal fluid port. 
     
     
         20 . A needleless connector, comprising:
 a housing comprising:   a proximal portion;   a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are coupled together to cooperatively define a cavity;   a proximal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity; and   a distal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity; and   a flexible valve element comprising:   a valve diaphragm, and the valve diaphragm is configured to expand when a luer is inserted into the proximal fluid port and retract when the luer is removed from the proximal fluid port;   a cone coupled to the valve diaphragm and extending toward the proximal fluid port;   a retention edge, wherein at least a portion of the retention edge is captured within the housing; and   a valve tail extending into the cavity, wherein the valve tail deflects to selectively permit flow between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port.